Baseball for an Off Day
It is another one of those lazy Monday off days where there is much to think about and to little to see. Oh, of course, one could watch other teams go at it (I hear Texas and Oakland are scheduled for later), but there are other alternatives as well.
In Clinton right now, the Lumberkings are sending right-hander Kenn Kasparek, who is among the league leaders in many categories, to face Burlington, with Royals prospect Tim Melville taking the mound for them in what could turn out to be a pitcher’s duel.
Alternatively, if you’re in the seven o’clock habit, you could listen to Mike Curto call the Tacoma Rainiers game as Brandon Morrow goes up against Fresno’s Joe Martinez. Thrill-seekers can also tune into Pat Dillon and the Everett Aquasox, with right-hander Luke Burnett pitted against Boise’s Jonathan Nagel. Boise has drawn the least amount of walks in the league at 127, while Burnett has given up the most with thirty.
MiLB.com Gameday Audio. And you’re welcome.
Melville gave up his first hit, a dinger to Daniel Carroll which just barely cleared the fence. 1-0 Lumberkings!
Sixth-round pick Shaver Hansen had a two-out single that drove in Savastano and Sanchez. It’s now 3-0 Lumberkings.
Wait, Daniel Carroll homered?
::SIRENS::
There is a rule in hockey which is there is no such thing as an ugly goal.
I think there’s no such thing as an ugly home run either.
Indeed. It’s really quite remarkable.
Savastano hurt his ankle and had to limp off the field to the clubhouse, which is on the opposite end of the stadium. Dotel replaced him.
Kasparek, through 5+ innings, has struck out six and allowed two hits. He’s good.
Kasparek may be pitching well, but he has an unnecessary “n” in his name. That could very well slow him down.
Any walks from him?
The box is a bit delayed at the moment, but I don’t remember hearing about any walks.
Just FYI to all… The MiLB.com link to Clinton seems to be broken, and the Burlington Royals don’t broadcast away games.
That’s two hits and eight Ks through seven innings for Kasparek. I think he’s got a headstart on pitcher of the week there.
Bees, Burlington Bees. Burlington Royals are Appalachian League and have an off-day before they go up against the Pulaski Mariners tomorrow.
Kasparek just pitched a complete game, the first nine-inning CG since 2005 for Clinton, three hits, nine Ks, shutout.
It was a good time to promote Lumberkings baseball. Kasparek is going to have to screw up pretty badly later in the week to not be POTW.
Feel free to let your awful curiosity drag you over to the Rainiers game now. You know you want to.
Jay, looks like Kenn does a good job of missing bats. Do you think he has the stuff to move quickly through the minors afterall he is 23 about to turn 24 in Low A?
Morrow looking sharper today than any of his three previous outings. 36 pitches in three innings.
Kasparek doesn’t have great stuff. Has an average fastball in terms of velocity, might touch 91 or so, and a good curveball. What I saw of him around the draft indicated that his delivery could use a little work (bit stiff) and he did have some trouble with his elbow back in 2007. His velocity might have come back a little since, but I don’t know for certain. I didn’t hear any readings when I was listening in today. Basically, he gets by because he can pitch.
Does Kasparek seem like a pitcher who could add velocity I noticed he is quite tall 6′ 8″.
At this stage, Kasparek adding velocity doesn’t seem likely unless they reworked his motion.
Well, good news. Burnett took advantage of the not-walking tendencies of the Boise lineup and have five hits and four Ks, no walks or runs, in six innings of work. James Jones also hit his second home run.
In Tacoma, Morrow’s still pitching into the seventh.
Nice start from Morrow, whose control improved markedly tonight. He’s pitching in the 7th, has thrown a ton of strikes, and while its made him more hittable, it’s infinitely preferable to what he had been in his first few Tacoma starts.
He hit 96 or so in the first.
Hey OF but look who made the #1 defensive gem for the night on Sportscenter?
Gratz to Ronny Cedeno for a beauty of a play!
OF? Is OF off-topic?
Atta boy Tui! HR in the 7th.
For those of us not listening, is Morrow pitching well or just getting lucky? I noticed the 4 2b’s and 1 HR so I have to ask.
When did Mike Wilson stop switch-hitting?
Morrow’s line: 7.0 IP, 7 H (HR), 2 R, 5/1 K/BB, 4/11 G/F, 62/89 pitches/strikes
Not bad.
Not bad at all.
little – it’s a bit of both. 7 LDs, 5 XBH… it wasn’t a dominating start at all, but he really hit the zone consistently, and that’s big.
On the plus side, a number of the 11 FBs tonight were pop-ups.
Hey, game over! 7-2 final as Jared Wells closes it out.
[deleted, outfield]
MW3,
I believe Wilson stopped switch-hitting after the 2007 season, but don’t quote me on that. It might have been sooner.
I do know that pitchers loved it when he was hitting lefty…outside fastballs and breaking balls all day, 2-3 easy K’s for them.
[ot]